A former special constable who filmed himself raping a woman when she was drunk has been jailed for seven years.

Paul Rodgers, 29, was described in court as “a sex addict” who frequented swingers clubs.

Leicester Crown Court was told the victim thought she was having sex with a man she wanted a relationship with, not the defendant.

Rodgers sent an edited version of the mobile phone footage, making it appear the sex was consensual, to someone else.

The victim could be heard, on the unedited soundtrack played in court, clearly saying another man’s name.

The defendant was telling her “No, it’s not, it’s me, Paul.”

She replied: “No it’s not.”

The defendant, of no fixed address, denied raping and sexually assaulting the woman, claiming she consented.

A jury convicted him on both counts.

Paul Rodgers, of no fixed address, Leicestershire, found guilty of rape and sentenced to seven years in prison. (Image: Leicestershire Police)

Luke Blackburn, prosecuting, said the rape victim was “extremely vulnerable” due to having so much to drink on the night the defendant recorded himself having sex with her at an address in Leicestershire.

The court heard that he was formerly a special constable, but was dismissed in December 2016, by the Leicestershire force, for an unrelated matter.

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Mr Blackburn told the jury: “She was in no state to consent and even if she had been, she thought she was having sex with someone else.

“The defendant knew she thought she was having sex with someone else.

“He carried on because he wanted sex with her, irrespective of consent and to take a recording.”

Mr Blackburn said: “The recording shows he’s the sober one in control and she’s the absolutely drunk one.”

The jurors did not view the footage but heard dialogue from the recording, with the victim calling the defendant by the wrong name during sex, clearly believing him to be someone else.

Mr Blackburn said the victim was subjected to “degradation and humiliation” knowing the footage was sent to another.

Sentencing, Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: “I have to sentence you for two offences that are very serious.

“You had sexual issues.

“Apparently, you thought you were a sex addict of some sort and went to swingers clubs."

He said that on the night of the rape, the victim went out with her friends and became intoxicated.

The judge said: “You took advantage of the victim; she has little recollection of what happened.

“Sexual intercourse took place and other activities.”

Judge Mooncey said: “She became aware it was you and not the man she was hoping to form a relationship with.

“She was outraged.

“You knew she was drunk and you made a recording.”

“I bear in mind your hitherto previous good character.

The jury convicted the defendant unanimously of the sexual assault, which involved indecent touching when he also hit her with a sex toy.

The jurors found him guilty of rape, in June 2016, by an 11 to 1 majority verdict.

The court heard that during the trial the defendant blatantly posted an image of a sex toy on a social media site, which the complainant had found out about and was “very upset.”

It had resulted in the defendant’s bail being revoked.

The judge also said he was told the defendant had been asking for a copy of the original sex video he made, before the verdicts were announced, and questioned his motive for that. Defence advocate, Steven Newcombe suggested it was something to do with the evidence in the case and added: “I don’t think it was for the purpose of publication.

“The image of someone holding a sex toy (he put on social media) was a poor decision on his part.”

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Afterwards, officer in the case, DC Kasie Carter said: “The defendant took advantage of the victim after she’d been out for the evening with friends.

“The victim has remained strong throughout the police investigation and the court process and it’s due to her courage that’s led to this conviction.

“She came forward and mad the report very quickly, which enabled us to gain vital evidence, allowing us to carry out a thorough and detailed investigation.”

Rodgers will have to sign on a sex offender register for life.

Last year, Leicestershire Police launched its All Is Not Lost campaign, aiming to raise greater awareness of rape as a crime, to encourage those who have been a victim to report early and to retain evidence and to dispel myths and preconceptions around victims and perpetrators.

DC Carter added: “Specially trained officers are available to speak to victims of rape and offer specialist support and advice.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault should be reassured that officers are here to help and will guide them through the whole process.”